Steroid phobia, Chinese medicine and asthma control

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment for asthma. Corticosteroid (CS) phobia and fears are prevalent and these may influence therapeutic efficacy and asthma control. AIM: To evaluate if CS fear is associated with asthma control in children Methods: Patients aged > 4 years old with asthma at a pediatric outpatient clinic were surveyed, and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used for assessment of asthma control. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients and their parents were interviewed. Thirty-four (35%) parents reported moderate or significant CS fear. They were more likely than those with no or little fear to have poorer asthma control (mean ACT scores 21.3±4.0 versus 23.1±3.3, p=0.02), discuss their fears with their doctors (p<0.001), request CS sparing medications (p=0.044), and resort to Chinese medicine (CM) usage (p